Chapter 128 – Bucheon Comic Awards ‘Grand Prize’
Inside the dimly lit venue.
Spotlights hanging from the ceiling.
Everyone watched the emcee with faces mixed with tension and anticipation.
“Everyone, we will soon announce this year’s Bucheon Comic Awards winners. But before that…… the director of the Bucheon Comic Promotion Agency will give a short opening speech. Please welcome him with a round of applause.”
Then, a gray-haired man in a suit sitting in the front row walked forward.
A wave of applause poured out.
He grabbed the microphone, looked around slowly, and spoke.
“Hello, everyone. I sincerely thank all of you for attending the Bucheon International Comic Festival awards ceremony. I am Kang Man-hyung, Director of the Bucheon Comic Promotion Agency. I am deeply grateful to the comic artists, officials, and all the fans who love comics for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here.”
After that……
Common, expected words continued.
Stories about the meaning of this event and how important Korean comics are.
Just as it was starting to feel a little boring,
He finally got to the main point.
“Especially this year is even more meaningful for us. Starting this year, the Grand Prize winner of the Bucheon Comic Awards will receive the Presidential Award. This is more than just an award; it will be an opportunity for Korean comics to have their value recognized at the national level. It also means that the comic industry will become the central axis leading Korea as a future content powerhouse, beyond being mere cultural content.”
Murmurs rose from the crowd.
Reporters waiting in the press section clicked their shutters rapidly.
Tension appeared on Min-hyuk’s face as well.
‘The authority that comes with the Presidential Award is no small thing.’
An award is ultimately about authority.
The fact that the giver is the highest leader of the Republic of Korea naturally makes its meaning even greater.
His fingers fidgeted on their own, and his lips felt slightly dry.
Min-hyuk once again realized just how much weight this event carried in the Korean comic industry.
“I offer my congratulations once again, and I look forward to working with all of you for the brilliant future of Korean comics. Thank you.”
As the director’s words ended, another round of applause poured out.
The emcee took the microphone again.
“Thank you for those kind words.”
Then, pulling out a white envelope from his pocket, he said,
“Right now in my hand…… is the list of winners. Out of the 10 candidates here, six comic artists will receive the Encouragement Award, two will receive the Excellence Award, and one each for the Grand Excellence Award and the Grand Prize. Although there are different levels of awards, everyone has produced excellent works, so please give them all a big round of applause.”
Several comic artists’ throats bobbed.
Someone swallowed hard.
The quiet desire flowing among the comic artists slowly intensified.
‘Presidential Award…… Presidential Awaaaard.’
‘You never know, maybe the chance will come to me.’
Everyone sent earnest prayers in their hearts.
They knew roughly where their own works stood, but there was still the possibility of “what if.”
There was still the “maybe.”
And……
The two strongest candidates for the Grand Prize — Shin Yo-seop and Min-hyuk — also……
‘It’s starting.’
‘Indeed……’
They lightly licked their lips.
“First, we will announce the Encouragement Award winners. The recipients are as follows:
Comic artist Kim Ha-jin for <Where the Wind Blows>.
Comic artist Ryu Jung-soo for <Blue Wing>.
Comic artist Park So-yeon for <Lost Season>.
Comic artist Lee Do-gyeom for <Black Dawn Dance>.
Comic artist Choi Eun-bi for <Dream Under the Moon>.
Comic artist Jung Myung-ho for <The Lost Path>.
Please congratulate them with applause.”
Six comic artists walked up onto the stage.
Some faces showed joy, while others carried disappointment for having aimed higher.
Every time, the reporters’ flashes went off, and applause rose and fell in rhythm.
Thump! Thump!
And this……
Was gradually syncing with Min-hyuk’s own heartbeat.
A tense, tingling feeling.
“Now, comic artists, please give your acceptance speeches one by one.”
“Ah, ah…… Thank you! Mom, I love you!”
After that, everyone nervously blurted out their speeches.
Some said cute, flustered things.
Others spoke so seriously that their voices rose in pitch.
All sorts of different reactions.
The corners of the audience’s mouths turned up as they watched.
“Wow, I’m jealous.”
“Huhu, when we start serializing, we can come here too.”
Dong-gyo and Rok-hee said with smiles.
Watching this scene, it must have motivated them as well.
‘I did well bringing them along.’
Min-hyuk smiled contentedly and continued clapping.
The comics of the comic artists standing up there.
He had read every single one of them.
They were all interesting and excellent works.
Some carried strong social messages.
Others tackled genres like gambling, which had rarely been attempted in Korea.
Each of them had shown the current state of comics in their own excellent way.
This applause was filled with respect and camaraderie.
They were not simply competitors……
‘They are players running on the same stage.’
After the Encouragement Awards ended, the Excellence Awards were announced right away.
Shin Yo-seop and Kang Min-hyuk.
Han Yu-ra and Shin Pil-ho.
Tension appeared on the faces of all four.
If their names were not called here……
It meant they would at least receive the Grand Excellence Award or higher.
And……
The result was.
“The Excellence Award winners are comic artist Han Yu-ra for <Melton: Chronicles of the Demon World> and comic artist Shin Pil-ho for <Comics Are First Love>! Please come forward, both of you!”
It was the win for the two who had been called dark horses.
“Huuu…… Excellence Award, huh. Not bad at all.”
Comic artist Shin Pil-ho stood up with a pleased smile.
He briefly made eye contact with the New Chance editorial team and Min-hyuk before walking forward.
“…….”
Han Yu-ra slowly rose from her seat and glanced at her father’s face.
‘Is he…… angry?’
It wasn’t the Grand Prize, not even the Grand Excellence Award.
Since comic artist Han Kyung-taek had lived his entire life aiming only for first place, she wondered if he could accept the result of an Excellence Award……
From Yu-ra’s perspective, it was inevitable that she would worry.
However.
Her father slightly lifted the corners of his mouth and said,
“Well done. Go on out quickly.”
“Yes!”
Yu-ra walked forward with steady steps.
The reporters’ eyes widened in surprise.
“The artist is incredibly young?”
“Yeah, I heard. She’s a first-year high school student. From Animation High.”
“Wow…… Amazing. A first-year high schooler drew a comic at that level? Unbelievable……”
They were shocked just by the fact that a high school freshman was present at this event.
Meanwhile, the emcee continued speaking.
“Comic artist Shin Pil-ho’s <Comics Are First Love> is a work that delicately equates the emotions of first love with the medium of comics. It was praised for maximizing elegant emotional delivery through its unique directing.”
First, Shin Pil-ho was given the award plaque and a bouquet.
“Additionally, comic artist Han Yu-ra’s <Melton: Chronicles of the Demon World> is a work that densely portrays conflict and reconciliation between parents and children within a fantasy setting of the demon world. Beyond a simple adventure narrative, it was noted for its impressive warm message that reminds us of intergenerational understanding, growth, and the meaning of family.”
Han Yu-ra received the same praise afterward.
“Then, let’s hear a few words from each of the winners. First, comic artist Shin Pil-ho.”
“First of all, thank you to Editor Go Gwang-jin and Director Song Mi-hyeon from the New Chance editorial team, who helped me receive this award. And…… thank you to comic artist David, Kang Min-hyuk, who helped with the early draft of <Comics Are First Love>. Really…… there were so many hard and sad times while drawing this comic, but thanks to being here today, it feels like all those feelings have completely flown away.”
Shin Pil-ho’s voice strangely grew moist.
“Woooo! Don’t cry! Don’t cry!”
Go Gwang-jin stood up from his seat and shouted, causing light laughter to burst out.
“Now, comic artist Han Yu-ra?”
The microphone was passed to Han Yu-ra.
Uncharacteristically, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes tightly for a moment, then opened them and said,
“First, thank you to my father for coming to today’s awards ceremony.”
Then, looking at Artist Han Kyung-taek, she continued,
“This <Melton: Chronicles of the Demon World>…… is a comic I drew while thinking about the relationship between my father and me. I drew it with the hope that it would reach my father. I want to express my infinite gratitude that all of you discovered it and viewed it so favorably. And……”
Han Yu-ra took another deep breath and said,
“I also want to say thank you to Kang Min-hyuk, who helped this comic come into the world.”
“Well, that was comic artist Han Yu-ra. Interestingly, both artists mentioned comic artist Kang Min-hyuk. He seems quite popular.”
Another round of applause poured out.
A smile appeared on Min-hyuk’s face.
And then……
“Well, you’ve waited a long time. Only two awards remain now. One person will receive the Grand Excellence Award, and the other will receive the Grand Prize! Who…… will it be? Even I’m trembling.”
The final moment had finally arrived.
‘It’s here.’
‘Huuu.’
Kang Min-hyuk and Shin Yo-seop.
Both comic artists took deep breaths.
‘……Win.’
Tension was etched on the faces of the Jump Comics editors.
‘Please, Brave King!’
‘Let’s go.’
Earnest energy filled the faces of the New Chance editorial team.
“Alright, before the announcement, please give a thunderous round of applause!”
The hall filled with the sound of clapping.
Meanwhile, the emcee slowly opened the envelope and looked inside.
A momentary silence.
When all eyes were focused on him,
“The Grand Prize winner is……”
He paused for a moment, then spoke as if letting it out,
“Comic artist Kang Min-hyuk for <Brave King>! Congratulations!”
At that moment, Oh Dong-gyo and Kim Rok-hee……
Even Mrs. Hong Mi-seon stood with their mouths wide open.
‘N-no way. Is this real?’
‘Min-hyuk did it!’
‘……Min-hyuk got the Grand Prize?’
Also,
“Haaaa…… Damn it.”
Jump Comics Director Oh Han-cheol clutched his head and let out a deep sigh.
‘He did it.’
Ma Dong-hyun lifted the corners of his mouth.
‘……This must be the right thing.’
Comic artist Kim Jin-ho, who had once been his teacher and was now a judge, let out a bitter sigh.
He had also cast his vote for Kang Min-hyuk.
Because of this, the chance that might have come to him had disappeared.
Still, he had made that choice because he knew……
It would be the right decision for Korean comics on a greater scale.
The hall froze like ice.
A few people glanced sideways at comic artist Shin Yo-seop, carefully watching his reaction.
Then……
Clap! Clap! Clap!
I lost……
‘He really is an incredible high school student.’
Comic artist Shin Yo-seop clapped, raising the corners of his mouth.
Rather than disappointment, his face looked closer to refreshed relief.
And that became the spark……
Clap clap clap clap!
“Woooooo!”
Applause and cheers began to fill the entire hall.
“Congratulations. Comic artist Kang Min-hyuk and the other winner, please come forward!”
The two walked forward amid the cheers.
Click click!
Reporters frantically pressed their camera shutters.
“Wait, that person is also a high school student?”
“I heard he’s the friend that Han Yu-ra mentioned in her acceptance speech earlier.”
“Then he’s also a first-year high schooler?”
“Wow…… David was a first-year high schooler? Does that even make sense?”
The reporters who hadn’t known this fact looked completely stunned.
No one could have predicted it.
That a mere first-year high school student……
Was the comic artist behind Brave King, which had swept through the Korean comic industry, and today’s Presidential Award winner.
Shin Yo-seop and Kang Min-hyuk.
As the two stood side by side in front, bouquets and award plaques were presented……
“First, we’d like to hear comic artist Shin Yo-seop’s acceptance speech.”
Shin Yo-seop took the microphone, moved his lips slightly, and spoke.
“First of all, thank you for giving me such a big award. Thank you to Director Oh Han-cheol and everyone at Jump Comics for supporting me in every way. And to my assistants who worked until they burned themselves out to help me complete it…… I’m truly grateful. Without all of you, I wouldn’t have made it this far.”
Shin Yo-seop’s staff smiled with moist eyes.
Director Oh Han-cheol let out a long sigh with a bittersweet expression.
“And…… finally. I want to say a big thank you to comic artist Kang Min-hyuk.”
The moment he heard those words, Min-hyuk’s eyes widened.
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